Onyx Wing Eating Contest Dominated By 'Red Shirt'

There were wings. Infused with Onyx Moonshine. And there was a competition to see who could eat the most, or the hottest, at Taqueria Tavern in West Hartford on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013. But, in the end, the man who came to be known as "Red Shirt" dominated all comers. 

"Red Shirt," who was actually Graham Kist, of Hartford, performed more than admirably throughout Onyx Moonshine's second annual "Hartford Area Hot Wings Eating Contest" competition, easily winning the challenge of who could eat the most wings in a four-minute period by consuming 18. 

But, Kist, and as he more and more endeared himself to the crowd, "Red Shirt," stuck around for the "hottest wing" eating competition as well. Which he also won. 

After coming to a draw in regulation, Kist - or "Red Shirt" - ended up in a sudden-death overtime competition, and easily bested his challenger, consuming 10 "super-hot wings" in less than five minutes. 

In total, Graham "Red Shirt" Kist consumed 38 wings in less than 30 minutes at Taqueria Tavern on Park Road in town, winning the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children – and a few Onyx t-shirts as well. 

"They were delicious," Kist said of the Onyx-infused wings that propelled him to victory. "It feels great!" 

Half of the proceeds from the event were donated to the ALS Foundation on behalf of Daniel B. Gardner.